Alright, alright, alright. So I picked Sycamore Row almost at random for one of my reads this year, knowing it’s yet another John Grisham bestseller but with no idea that it’s his long-awaited direct sequel to his debut novel, A Time to Kill. I’m not as high on Grisham’s first book as most of his other fans, but read more

[Update: If you want to know what Simmons says about Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, click here to find out!] At first blush, Bill Simmons seems like a sportswriter with a massive ego (and dick vibe). I mean, you’d have to, to call yourself “The Sports Guy” and to name your book (or “Pulitzer”, as read more

While I am still a fair distance from completing my “worst of” and “best of” lists for 2013, I am already getting very very excited about the movies that are going to hit our screens in 2014. This year promises to be an epic one in terms of big screen blockbusters, much-anticipated sequels and remakes, read more

Greatest. Tennis. Match. Ever. As a new father I have about 10 minutes to spare, so I’m going to blog about what’s been on my mind — last night’s EPIC Aussie Open Final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The two fighters went toe-to-toe like to heavyweight sluggers, absorbing killer blow after killer blow in read more

Eslite: Taipei’s 24-hour book store

The exterior of the 24-hour Dunhua branch of Eslite book store in Taipei

One of my favourite places in all of Taipei is the Eslite book store on Dunhua South Road.

Beneath the unassuming exterior of the building lies a book-lover’s paradise. Shelves and shelves of books and magazines in both Chinese and English. Several floors of it. Most of the books are unwrapped and available for reading.

And the best part – it’s there, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You may wonder what the heck a 24-hour book store is for – it’s not like people read at 3:47am in the morning, do they? Well, they do.

(Read on about the 24-hour book store by clicking on ‘More…’)

Taiwanese people love the nightlife, and they love to read. There are also a lot of people working jobs with odd hours, people with insomnia, and people who love a book so much (and are so cheap) that they want to sit there all night to finish it off. Oh, and there’s also the foreigners who are having trouble adjusting to the time difference. From what I hear, it’s not unusual for there to be a lot of people hanging around way after midnight. Here’s proof. I have no idea why anyone would post this on YouTube.

Due to time constraints, I wasn’t there all day, though I wish I could have experienced it. Not necessarily try to finish a single book or anything, but just to look around and sample one book after another, soak it all in, and if I like a particular book enough, purchase it before I go.

There is a very wide selection of English books there, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, there are staff or computers which can help. And if you really want a book they don’t have, you can always get them to order it in.

The prices are generally very reasonable – and are much cheaper compared to the book prices in Australia. There are quite a few ‘specials’ going on as well, with popular books often given a 21% discount, and if you buy 3 such books, a 25% discount. When I was there there was also a promotion where if you spend TWD 1000, you get a TWD 100 voucher to use for next time (at any Eslite store).

I would recommend any book lover to go for a visit. Just being around many books inspires you to write!

How to get there

The exact address is: No. 245, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Taipei.

Easiest way is of course the MRT. Take the blue line to the Zhongxiao Dunhua station. Take either exit 5 or 6, and head south along Dunhua South Road towards the big roundabout.

Ahhh…I am not affiliated with the book store…but I don’t think Eslite is a publisher. if you want to get your book published you need to either write query letters to agents/publishers or go through a vanity publisher. good luck